Africa Cup 2006 
Egypt win Cup after penalty drama
Egypt won the African Cup of Nations for a record fifth time by beating Ivory Coast 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw in the final in Cairo.
Goalkeeper Essam Al Hadary was the hero for the hosts, saving two penalty kicks, while Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba and Bakary Kone missed theirs.
The match ended 0-0 after 120 minutes, with Drogba missing the Ivorians' best chance in regulation time. Mohammed Aboutrika scored the winning penalty for the North Africans.
But Egypt's Pharaohs could have won it in extra-time had their captain Ahmed Hassan not struck the post after being awarded one of the most controversial penalties in Nations Cup history.
Tunisian referee Mourad Daami awarded the spot kick after Egypt's Mohamed Barakat fell in the box, even though the challenge from Blaise Kossi Kouassi had both players going for the ball.
Despite facing a hostile home crowd of 75,000 in the Cairo International Stadium, the Ivorians stuck to the task at hand and were fully competitive throughout the match.
Chances were few and far between in the first half hour, as both sides struggled to create anything in the final third of the pitch.
Amr Zaki, the hero of Egypt's semi-final victory over Senegal, came closest to breaking the deadlock for the hosts in the 34th minute with a neatly struck half-volley.
But five minutes later, the Pharaohs were fortunate not to go behind when Kolo Toure's effort missed the target by a whisker, following a corner.
In a pulsating 10-minute spell after the break, Egypt had the opportunity to take the lead but both Mohamed Aboutrika and Emad Moteab missed with free headers.
As the second period wore on, the Elephants regained their focus and created anxiety on the terraces by taking the game to the Egyptians.
But when Arouna Kone found Drogba with a delightful pass in the 76th minute, the Chelsea forward somehow contrived to scoop the ball over with the goal gaping.
With seven minutes remaining, the hosts had the ball in the back of the net after a goalmouth melee but Zaki's effort was ruled out by the referee.
With the 0-0 scoreline unchanged after 120 minutes of play, the penalty shoot-out begun with both captains taking their kicks.
But while Egypt's Ahmed Hassan scored his, Drogba's was saved by El Hadary, and bitter disappointment followed for the Ivorians.
The euphoric scenes that were played out by the hosts after the winning penalty by Aboutrika were in stark contrast to the shattered Ivory Coast players and their 200 fans who trudged off the pitch in disbelief.
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It happens every two years. African Nations Cup fever.
Under pressure to fall in line with Fifa's international calendar, Africa staged a joint qualifying series for the Nations Cup and World Cup for the first time ever. While the five group winners qualify for the World Cup finals in Germany, the top three in each group go to the 25th Nations Cup in Egypt. Tunisia are the reigning African champions, having won the 2004 tournament on home soil. more >>
African Cup Website: Egypt2006.com
Africa Cup & Ethiopia
African football was still in its infancy when the Confederation of African Football (Caf) staged the inaugural Nations Cup in February 1957.
Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia took part in the first tournament after South Africa were expelled for refusing to send a mixed-race team to Sudan.
In the final, Egypt thrashed Sudan 4-0 to become the first ever African champions.
Two years later, Egypt, inspired by Mahmoud El-Gohary, successfully defended their title in Cairo in a tournament featuring the same three sides from 1957.
The 1960s were a time of great expansion for Caf, and a decade when the Nations Cup also grew in importance.
Ethiopia held the third finals in 1962, with Tunisia and Uganda taking part for the first time.
The hosts proved unstoppable in Addis Ababa and came from behind twice to beat Egypt 4-2 after extra-time.
Ethiopia hosted the 1976 competition which was held on a round-robin format, with Morocco seeing off the challenge of Egypt, Nigeria and Guinea.
Most titles won: 4
Egypt: 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998
Ghana: 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982
Cameroon: 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002 Most performances by a referee in the finals: 6
Tesfaye Gebreyesus (Ethiopia/Eritrea)
1970, 1974, 1978, 1980, 1984, 1986
Most appearances in a final: Ghana (7)
1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1978, 1982, 1992
Most goals in the finals:
Laurent Pokou of the Ivory Coast scored 14 in two tournaments - 1968 & 1970 |
